Rainbows register second successive win

Tarxien Rainbows registered as second consecutive win as they beat Senglea Athletic 2-1 at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday.

A win which puts them on level points with Hamrun Spartans on the 12 point mark. Senglea, on the other hand, continue to share the bottom spot with Qormi.

Tarxien coach Jose Borg named Matthew Brincat in the starting line-up leaving Ricardinho on the bench. On the other hand, Matthew Bartolo, Ferdinando Salvati, Manuel Guillari replaced Fabrizio Bramati and the suspended Brandon Muscat and Augusto Rene Caseres for Senglea.

The Rainbows took the lead on the 8th minute when off a Matthew Brincat freekick, Daniel Zerafa beat goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia despite Ferdinando Salvati’s attempt to clear the back off goal line.

Manuel Guillari was unlucky to hit the woodwork for Senglea on the 16th minute.

Two minutes later, the Rainbows made it 2-0 when Michele Paolucci was brought down inside the area and from the penalty spot, the Italian striker made no mistake.

Senglea pulled one back on the 56th minute when off a cross from the right by Leighton Grech, Braian Alexis Volpini placed the ball at the back of the net.

Nine minutes from time, Senglea were reduced to ten men after Braian Alexis Volpini was sent off for a reckless tackle on Andre Scicluna.

SENGLEA Matthew Farrugia, Matthew Bartolo, Marko Ivanovic (52’ Karl Cutajar), Ferdinando Salvati, Leighton Grech, Manuel Guillari, Braian Volpini, Imanol Gonzalez, Zack Cassar, Matias Garcia, Romani Tcanturia.
Subs not used: Philip Schranz, Dylan Micallef, Carsten Dimech, Rayson Vella, Andre White.
Coach: Vincenzo Potenza
Asst. Coach: Darren Anton Vella

TARXIEN Andrea Cassar, Radu Rogac, Daniel Zerafa, Matthew Brincat (83’ Ricardo Silva Faria), Michele Paolucci, Gabriel Aquilina, Daren Falzon, Andre Scicluna, Stefan Radovanovic, Anderson Francisco de Barros, Alex Nilsson (74’ Jackson de Paixao Neponuceno).
Subs not used: Maverick Buhagiar, Matthew Spiteri, Daniel Vassallo, Andrew Agius, Miguel Ciantar.
Coach: Jose Borg
Asst. Coach: Saviour Debono Grech

Referee: Etienne Antoine Mangion
Assistant Referees: Chris Francalanza, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Daniel Portelli
Yellow Cards: Ivanovic, Zerafa, Guillari, Rogac, Gonzalez, Scicluna, Aquilina
Red Cards: 81’ Braian Volpini
BOV Player of the Match: Michele Paolucci